Respect the Range: Staying Safe on MOD Land

Guidance

Respect the Range: staying safe on MOD land

Guidance and information on how you can use the Defence Training Estate responsibly.

From: Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Ministry of Defence Published 6 August 2020 Last updated 8 April 2026
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White background with the words 'respect the range' in black text over the top with a yellow hazard symbol on the left handside.

The MOD’s training estate’s primary use is for vital military training, which is an essential part of the UK’s defence. Our Armed Forces rely on the ability to carry out realistic, complex training, day and night, 365 days a year. Interrupting this training can put both you and military personnel at risk and can delay or disrupt the vital preparation our military need to stay ready for operations – training that takes many months in the planning.

Some areas of MOD land are accessible to the public through the use of byways, Public Rights Of War (PROW), footpaths and bridleways. But it is important to remember that MOD land is an active military working environment and you should only access it when and where it is safe to do so, and always with caution,

For your safety—and to protect the military personnel who train there—it’s important to follow a few simple steps before and during your visit.

Safe access: what you need to know

Accessing MOD land carries risks to your safety. Military training can include use of live firing, artillery, fast moving military vehicles, Defence personnel and pyrotechnics. Just because you can’t see or hear military training, doesn’t mean it’s not taking place. You can help keep yourself and our Armed Forces safe by following our Respect the Range guidance:

• Look out for red flags and lights – these indicate that live firing or other high‑risk activity is taking place
• Check firing times and access guidelines online before you visit
• Pay close attention to signage, information boards and live indicators – they are there for your safety
• Stay on public footpaths, bridleways, PROW and byways – do not enter restricted or closed areas
• Keep your dog under control and in sight at all times – uncontrolled dogs can stray into danger zones and disrupt training. Always pick up after your dog.
• Do not touch military debris – report anything you find so it can be safely removed
• Be courteous to other users, and follow any further guidance offered by military personnel and safety officers Brigadier Gavin Hatcher, DIO’s Head of Overseas and Training Region, offers an insight into why uninterrupted training matters so much in his latest blog.

Respect the Range film

For further information please see our Respect the Range (BSL) video which will give you information on how to stay safe within the surrounding of training areas.

Published 6 August 2020 Last updated 8 April 2026 show all updates
1.
8 April 2026

Fully updated text including a new blog link for further information and a link to an updated guidance video with British Sign Language interpretation.
2.
28 July 2023

Updated information on accessing the training estate safely.
3.
16 August 2022

Page updated with steps you can take when visiting MOD land to help keep you safe.
4.
29 March 2021

Added new heading with information: Respect the Range film and a transcript of the YouTube film.
5.
6 August 2020

First published.
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